Led on behalf of CPP by LPP, this framework agreement covers the broad range of cardiology product categories and is available for use by CPP NHS members and the wider NHS.

The framework agreement covers the full range of cardiology products and is designed to enable trusts to comply with requirements under the NHS contract to achieve cost efficiencies through improved pricing and commercial opportunities. Lots include Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Pacemakers, Electro Physiology, Cardiac Stents and Transcatheter Aortic/Pulmonary Valves and Insertion Devices and Interventional Radiology Products used in Cardiology.

This is the second ‘total solutions’ framework awarded by CPP. ‘Total solutions’ frameworks should reduce the volumes of tenders conducted by the NHS, as well as reduce the proliferation of competing framework agreements. In this instance, the Total Cardiology Solutions framework will also release clinical time to focus on patient care, cut inventory wastage risks, and provide greater assurance of product availability.

An emphasis on encouraging innovation by suppliers on the framework will also ensure that the NHS has access to new technologies in cardiology at appropriate framework agreement prices, through a route to market that is compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations.

Total Cardiology Solutions is the third national framework produced by the NHS Collaborative Procurement Partnership, following on from Total Orthopaedic Solutions and the National Collaborative Framework for the supply of Nursing and Nursing related staff.

Tom Wynne, who has been Senior Workstream Lead for NHS London Procurement Partnership’s Medical and Surgical team for the past two years, has been appointed to the new NHS Improvement Regional Head of Procurement role for London.